Genesis 12-17; Abraham 1-2 - Abraham and Sarah

"Is any thing too hard for the Lord?" This is the question that defines the lives of Abraham and Sarah. From a biological impossibility to a heartbreaking command on a mountain top, their journey proves that God can bring life out of "deadness"—if we are willing to trust Him with everything. Summary: In this episode, we study Genesis 18–23, following the "Father of the Faithful" and the "Mother of Nations" through their ultimate trials. We explore the transition from the joy of Isaac's birth to the gut-wrenching climb up Mount Moriah. The Promise to Sarah: We look at the visit of the three messengers and the shift from Sarah's "laugh of doubt" to her "laugh of joy." We discuss how she received strength to conceive because she "judged him faithful who had promised". The Sacrifice of Isaac: We dive deep into the "Abrahamic Test." Why would a God who abhors human sacrifice command this? We explore the parallels between Abraham offering Isaac and Heavenly Father offering His Only Begotten Son. Life from Death: Using Paul’s words in Romans and Hebrews, we analyze how Abraham was able to obey because he accounted that "God was able to raise him up, even from the dead". Jehovah-Jireh: We discuss the significance of the "ram in the thicket" and the name "The Lord Will Provide," exploring how God provides the lamb for us when we cannot provide it for ourselves. The Burial of Sarah: We reflect on the end of Sarah’s mortal journey and the faith required to buy a piece of the Promised Land as a "possession of a buryingplace." Call-to-Action: Have you ever had to surrender something you loved back to the Lord, trusting that He had a better plan? How did you find the strength to keep walking up your own "Mount Moriah"? Share your testimony in the comments. To continue your journey toward becoming "Unshaken," please like, subscribe, and share this video with someone who needs a reminder that the Lord will provide. Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 1:53 True Messengers 4:32 Hospitality 10:00 Sarah's Laughter 17:48 Pleasure this Side of Paradise 20:02 Too Hard for God 25:23 Revealing Secrets 29:13 Condescension & Comprehension 33:19 Bartering with God 44:10 Inching Toward Sodom 48:42 The Sanctuary of Standards 54:07 Sins of Sodom 1:12:35 Homosexuality 1:45:50 Standing Up to Sodom 2:03:19 Fleeing Sodom 2:13:55 Don't Look Back 2:19:22 Lot's Daughters 2:24:37 Sarah's Repeated Test 2:29:16 Abraham & Abimelech 2:41:07 Isaac's Birth 2:47:00 Hagar & Ishmael 2:58:43 Making Peace 3:02:31 Abraham & Isaac 3:16:20 Sacrifice 3:26:01 Teaching the Atonement 3:38:49 The Death of Sarah 3:45:11 The Faith of Abraham & Sarah 3:52:48 Life from Death

God told Abraham to "get thee out of thy country" and promised him a legacy that would bless all the families of the earth. But for decades, Abraham and Sarah had no land and no children. How do you keep walking when the promises of God seem impossible? Summary: In this episode, we dive into the heart of the Old Testament: The Abrahamic Covenant. We look at Genesis 12–17 and Abraham 1–2 to see how a "foreigner and a stranger" became the Father of the Faithful. The Search for Greater Happiness: We analyze Abraham’s desire for the "blessings of the fathers" and why he sought for his own "place of residence" spiritually and physically. The Three-Part Promise: We break down the core of the covenant—Posterity (seed as the stars), Priesthood (the power to bless), and Property (a land of inheritance). The Name Change: We explore the profound symbolism of Abram becoming Abraham and Sarai becoming Sarah—adding the Hebrew letter "He" (the breath of God) into their very identities. The Symbolism of Circumcision: We discuss the "token" of the covenant and why God requires a physical reminder of our spiritual commitments. Sarah’s Role: We look at why Sarah is the "Rock" from which we are hewn and how her faith was just as essential to the covenant as Abraham's. Call-to-Action: Abraham was told to "be thou a blessing." How are you using your covenant privileges to bless those around you today? Let us know in the comments! If you’re ready to "look unto the rock whence ye are hewn," please like, subscribe, and share this video to help others stay "Unshaken." Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 2:22 Looking to Abraham & Sarah 8:49 Looking for More 13:20 The Fathers vs. My Fathers 20:16 The Daughters of Onitah 25:27 Abraham Delivered & Called 31:58 Journey to the Promised Land 39:23 Priesthood Promises 43:23 The Importance of Posterity 45:42 Temple Sealings & the Abrahamic Covenant 49:29 Exclusivity vs. Inclusivity 55:59 Seeking & Finding 1:01:01 Establishing Altars 1:09:21 The Sacrifice of Sarah 1:22:23 Abraham & Lot 1:36:23 Rescuing Lot 1:44:16 Sodom or Salem 1:52:20 Melchizedek 2:04:54 The Promise of Seed 2:13:13 The Confines of Covenant 2:18:32 Waiting for the Cup to Fill 2:26:57 Sarah & Hagar 2:39:31 Pride from Above & Pride from Below 2:48:35 Facing Awkward Conversations 2:51:59 Ishmael 2:56:38 Covenant Renewed 3:02:00 Circumcision 3:09:23 Sarah 3:18:38 Immediate Obedience 3:20:25 Wanting the Blessings of Abraham & Sarah

Are you experiencing a faith crisis or know someone who is? Then welcome to "Finding Faith," a master class on navigating faith crisis brought to you by the creator of Unshaken, Jared Halverson. Summary: In this introductory lesson, we explore the contents of the course - lessons on doubt and disappointment, stages of faith, proving contraries, anti-Mormon strategies, and becoming unshaken. In the course of the course, we will follow an outline suggested by a medical metaphor: learning "the healer's art," identifying those who might be wrestling with their faith (and identifying those who might be able to help them), diagnosing the causes and characteristics of faith crisis, and prescribing practices and approaches that can lead to a stronger, more well-grounded faith. Jared Halverson will also introduce himself as your teacher in this course, sharing the formative experiences that led to his desire to help people wrestling with their faith, and explaining the academic background that prepared him to teach this course. 

When the world became "filled with violence," God sent a Flood. Was it a fit of divine anger, or a desperate act of love to save future generations from a world without hope? Discover why Noah’s Ark is the ultimate symbol of the Atonement. Summary: In this episode, we dive into the deep waters of Genesis 6–11. We move past the Sunday School "flannel board" version of Noah to find a profound story of covenants, agency, and second chances. The Problem of Wickedness: We explore why the earth was "corrupt" and how the Flood served as a necessary "reset" to allow God's children a fair chance at life. Building the Ark: Noah was commanded to build a "tebah" (box or chest), a word used only one other time in the Bible—for Moses' basket. We discuss how we can build our own spiritual arks today. The Second Creation: We analyze the parallels between the Flood and the original Creation, seeing the earth emerge from the water as a new beginning. The Token of the Covenant: The rainbow wasn't just a pretty sign; it was a "token" of an everlasting covenant between God and Enoch's posterity. The Tower of Babel: We contrast Noah's altar with Nimrod's tower—showing the difference between building toward heaven God's way versus trying to "make a name for ourselves". Call-to-Action: What are the "thorns and thistles" in your life that God is trying to wash away through a fresh start? Share your thoughts on "new beginnings" in the comments! If you want to keep your faith "Unshaken" through life's storms, please like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell. Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Welcome 2:10 3 Falls & 3 Floods 6:31 Marriage Outside the Covenant 10:10 Refusing to Hearken 12:05 Ignoring Consequences 15:43 Violence & Corruption 21:58 Caught Up or Held Back 27:07 Noah's Character & Commission 37:35 Flood & Famine 40:09 A Merciful Flood 54:07 The Ark 1:06:51 Gopher Wood & Pitch 1:14:17 A New Creation 1:20:06 The Rainbow 1:30:33 Wickedness Resumes 1:32:02 Animals' Fear of Man 1:37:24 Noah, Ham, & the Curse of Canaan 1:52:46 The Tower of Babel 2:04:09 Conclusion

We often think of God as an immovable, distant force. But when Enoch looked into heaven, he didn't see a stoic deity—he saw a God in tears. Why would the Creator of "worlds without number" weep for us? The answer reveals the true heart of Zion. Summary: In this deep dive into Moses 7, we witness the culmination of Enoch's ministry. We move from the "high mountain" of personal revelation to the "City of Holiness" that eventually ascended to God. Building the City of Zion: We analyze the three pillars of Zion: being of "one heart and one mind," dwelling in "righteousness," and ensuring there are "no poor among them". The Weeping God: We explore the stunning dialogue where Enoch asks God, "How is it that thou canst weep?". We learn that God’s sorrow stems from the agency of His children who "hate their own blood" and refuse His love. The Perspective of Enoch: Like Enoch, we are invited to look beyond our own time. We discuss his vision of the Crucifixion, the Restoration, and the eventual return of Zion where "heaven and earth shall meet". Divine Empathy: We discuss the "Mother Eve" connection and the "Mother Earth" who groans for her children, showing that all of creation yearns for the righteousness of Zion. Call-to-Action: Zion is not just a place; it's a way of being. What is one thing you can do this week to move toward having "one heart" with those around you? Share your thoughts in the comments! To keep your faith "Unshaken" while we build Zion together, please like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell. Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 1:59 Joseph Smith Translation and Moses 7 7:26 Building Zion 12:47 Study of Moses 7 15:52 Conversations at Higher Elevations 19:37 Wickedness Spreads 26:29 Enoch's Faith, Power, &  Language 31:16 Zion, City of Holiness 39:34 Visions of Wickedness 42:49 Satan's Laughter 48:01 Noah's Converts 49:55 A Weeping God 1:00:33 The Two Great Commandments 1:05:04 The Wickedness of the World 1:09:26 Sorry over Our Suffering 1:15:45 The Suffering of the Savior 1:18:14 Understanding God's Heart 1:22:11 The Flood 1:26:49 The Coming of Christ 1:29:38 Mother Earth 1:40:42 A Flood of Truth 1:49:23 Conclusion

Have you ever felt completely unqualified for what God has asked you to do? Enoch felt the same way. He was "but a lad" and "slow of speech," yet he became the man who led an entire city to be translated. Discover how your weaknesses can become your greatest strengths. Summary: In this episode, we explore the rich doctrines found in Genesis 5 and Moses 6. We look at the legacy of Adam and the rise of Enoch, uncovering the patterns of faith that define the patriarchal priesthood. The Book of Remembrance: We discuss why the early Saints kept a record in their own language and how writing down our spiritual experiences preserves them for our children. Parenting in the Gospel: Adam and Eve taught their children "in the way of understanding," providing a model for teaching by the Spirit and through the "power of God". The Call of Enoch: We analyze Enoch's deep insecurity when called to preach—his youth and his speech impediment—and God’s promise to "open thy mouth" and "fill it". The Power of a Seer: Enoch was commanded to "wash thine eyes with clay," a symbol of purifying his vision to see things not visible to the natural eye. The First Principles: Enoch teaches the fundamental "plan of salvation" through baptism, the Spirit, and the Atonement, showing that the gospel has been the same from the very beginning. Call-to-Action: What "speech impediment" or insecurity is holding you back from doing what God has asked of you? How can Enoch's story help you move forward today? Share your experience in the comments! If you want to dive deeper into the Old Testament with us, please like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay "Unshaken." Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 0:59 Moses 6-7 background 4:06 Cognitive vs. Experiential Knowledge 9:28 Artwork of Cain & Abel 17:47 The Births of Cain and Seth 23:01 Naming Seth 25:53 Genealogy of Adam 29:27 Pulled between Opposing Forces 35:12 Multigenerational Families of Faith 38:52 Scriptural Literacy 42:18 Passing down Priesthood 46:36 Prophesying & Preaching 49:52 Enoch 54:29 Heart, Ears, and Eyes 59:44 What Enoch was Up Against 1:04:11 Sense of Inadequacy 1:07:54 Divine Reassurance 1:13:38 Opening Ears & Filling Mouths 1:26:23 Moving Mountains & Rerouting Rivers 1:30:23 Spiritual Sight 1:37:23 Reactions to the Call to Repent 1:40:37 A Wild Man 1:46:21 Knowing Those Who Know God 1:49:34 Enoch's (and Adam's) Message 2:00:15 Tasting and Prizing 2:07:35 The Law of the Gospel; Birth & Rebirth 2:18:13 Celestial Homesickness 2:24:08 Conclusion

Was the Fall of Adam and Eve a "plan B" or the "plan all along"? Most of the world views the events in Eden as a catastrophe, but the Pearl of Great Price reveals it was the beginning of our redemption. Summary: In this episode, we dive into Genesis 3–4 and Moses 4–5 to understand the "Fortunate Fall" and the true nature of opposition. We explore how the choice made in Eden opened the door to mortality, family, and joy—on the condition of our redemption through Jesus Christ. Tactics of the Adversary: We analyze the four specific ways Satan tried to deceive Eve—distorting God's word, appealing to the flesh, lying about consequences, and mixing truth with error. The Transgression vs. Sin: We discuss why the Fall was a necessary transgression of a lower law to keep a higher one: the commandment to multiply and replenish the earth. Coats of Skins: We look at the profound symbolism of God clothing Adam and Eve, representing the Atonement of Jesus Christ covering our nakedness and vulnerability. The Contrast of Cain: We study the tragedy of Cain, who "loved Satan more than God" and introduced the first "secret combination" into human history. Finding Joy in Mortality: Adam and Eve teach us that even in a world of thorns and thistles, we can be "glad" because of the redemption of our transgression. Call-to-Action: Do you see the "thorns and thistles" in your life as a curse or as a schoolmaster? How has the Atonement "clothed" you in your difficult moments? Share your insights in the comments below! If this lesson helped you see the Fall in a new light, please like, subscribe, and share this video to help others stay "Unshaken." Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 2:07 Introducing the Fall 4:09 Stages of Faith 15:48 Proving Contraries 19:34 The Fall of Lucifer 38:00 Tempting Eve 43:38 Preserving Agency & Accountability 51:04 The Evolution of Sin 57:20 Adam's Choice & Eve's Proposal 1:04:13 The Fortunate Fall 1:13:00 Beguiled? Deciding Alone 1:18:50 Willing to Risk It 1:26:17 Hiding their Nakedness 1:37:14 Curses as Blessings in Disguise 1:42:44 And He Shall Rule Over Thee 1:51:15 Thorns & Thistles, Sweat & Bread 1:56:09 Eve as Mother 1:59:31 Coats of Skins 2:01:38 Cherubim: Time to Prepare 2:11:16 Learning the Law of Sacrifice 2:25:13 The Real Fall 2:28:49 Faith to Have a Family 2:35:03 Cain & Satan 2:43:07 Cain & Abel 2:49:52 Cain's Posterity 2:55:22 Redemption from the Fall 2:57:56 Artwork from Eden

Most people read the Creation story looking for how the world was made. But the scriptures are more interested in why it was made and who made it. Are you missing the temple hidden within the pages of Genesis? Summary: In this episode, we bridge the gap between Genesis, Moses, and Abraham to uncover the deep doctrine of the Creation. We move beyond the "scientific" debates to discover a "visionary" account of our divine origins. The 3-Story Creation: We analyze the "Cosmic Temple" by looking at the three layers of creation: the "Lower" (physical world), "Middle" (the Garden/Temple), and "Upper" (the presence of God). Spirit Before Temporal: We explore the vital truth that all things were created "spiritually, before they were naturally upon the face of the earth". Identity and Image: We discuss what it truly means to be created "in the image of God," and how our gender is an essential characteristic of our eternal identity. The Power of the Sabbath: We learn why the Seventh Day isn't just a day off, but a day of "rest" where we enter into a covenant relationship with the Creator . Agency in Creation: In the Abrahamic account, we see that the Gods did not just command, they "watched those things which they had ordered until they obeyed". Call-to-Action: How does knowing you were created "spiritually" before you were here change how you face your "natural" trials today? Share your thoughts in the comments! If this lesson helped you see the world through a more spiritual lens, please like, subscribe, and share this video to help others stay "Unshaken." Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 0:57 Studying the Creation: scientifically or spiritually 11:59 Creation accounts 23:11 Premortal Plan / Spiritual Creation 27:38 Creation ex nihilo 33:26 Overarching lessons from Creation 45:47 Days of Creation 46:57 Day 1 51:59 Day 2 55:44 Day 3 1:00:36 Day 4 1:03:28 Day 5 1:05:41 Day 6 1:06:57 Day 7 1:13:29 Review of Days 1:14:59 Children of God 1:26:42 The Temple in Genesis 2 1:28:26 Initiatory: Dust and Rib 1:39:06 Endowment: The Garden of Eden 1:43:46 Sealing: Eve and Womanhood 2:05:40 Naked and Not Ashamed 2:09:47 Christ in Creation

When Moses stood on a "high mountain" and saw God face-to-face, his first realization was shocking: "Man is nothing." But God didn't leave him there. He revealed a truth that changes everything about how you see yourself and your purpose in this life. Summary: In this episode, we explore the profound "prefaces" to the Bible found in Moses 1 and Abraham 3. We dive into the deep doctrine of our divine identity and the Plan of Salvation. Moses 1: Identity and Discernment. We analyze Moses' encounter with God and his subsequent battle with Satan. We learn how knowing we are sons and daughters of God gives us the power to discern and dismiss the "son of the morning." Moses discovers that even though he is nothing compared to God, he is everything to God—because God's entire "work and glory" is to bring to pass our immortality and eternal life. Abraham 3: The View from Above. We look with Abraham to see the "intelligences" organized before the world was. We explore the concept of "One above another" and the "Great and Noble Ones" who were chosen to lead. The Pre-mortal Council: We recount the moment we all shouted for joy: the decision to follow Jesus Christ and come to earth to be "proved" to see if we would do all things the Lord commanded us. Call-to-Action: Do you ever feel like "nothing" in the vastness of the universe? How does knowing you are a child of God change your perspective today? Share your thoughts in the comments! If this message helped you feel your divine worth, please like, subscribe, and share this video to help others stay "Unshaken." Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 4:55 Learning to Love the Old Testament 17:46 Finding Christ in the Old Testament 24:16 Mosaic Authorship and the Joseph Smith Translation 35:06 God's Work and Glory 45:19 God's Contraries: The Infinite and the Intimate 1:01:48 Human Contraries: Dust and Divinity 1:11:07 Identity Crisis 1:19:19 Overcoming the Adversary 1:46:45 The Why, How, and Who of Creation 2:06:11 Stars, Spirits, and the Premortal Council 2:32:18 Book of Abraham Controversy

Most people find the Old Testament confusing, dusty, or even intimidating. But what if it’s actually the essential foundation for everything you believe about Jesus Christ? Today, we unlock the "Library of Books" that makes up the first half of our scripture and discover why it is the indispensable foundation of the covenant. Summary: In this introductory lesson, we lay the groundwork for a year-long journey through the Old Testament. We move beyond seeing it as a singular book and begin to view it as a diverse library of 39 books. Key themes include: The Foundation of the Covenant: Understanding why the Old Testament is the root from which the New Testament, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants grow. Structure and Organization: A breakdown of the Hebrew Bible (the Tanakh) and its three parts: the Torah (Law), Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings). The Power of Translation: Exploring how the Bible moved from Hebrew to Greek to English, and why the Joseph Smith Translation is vital for our study. Finding Christ in the Old Testament: Moving past the "dead letter" to see the "living spirit" of the Messiah on every page. Call-to-Action: Which book of the Old Testament has always felt the most "sealed" to you? Let us know in the comments, and let’s commit to opening it together this year!